Eva Bleakley’s Business is Blooming celebrates 11 years

Most folks in this area have admired her unusual and enchanting flower arrangements around town. Born and raised in Ithaca, Eva Bleakley tells what it is like to accept and unexpected opportunity which changed her life:

“I came to running a full-service florist business in my hometown of Ithaca with degrees in fine art and exhibit design, after working at visual merchandising in high end New York City stores,” Bleakley said. “Growing up, my family lived for a while in an old farmhouse on the grounds of Cornell Botanic Gardens, where my mother worked for over 30 years. I spent many hours wandering the gardens and arboretum, and also trekked through wild areas learning about native plants with my father. With my long standing love of nature and my artistic background, it turns out operating a floral design studio is a perfect fit.

“Back in 2013, I  was working as an assistant to Sara Culotta, the founding owner of Business is Blooming, who established the studio and pocket garden 5 years earlier, tucked away in Ithaca’s Fall Creek residential neighborhood. When Sara told me she planned to sell her floral business, I  took the plunge, despite having no background in running a business. I  still utilize this peaceful and inviting space, and with my mother’s assistance, we have increased and enhanced the lovely cutting garden Sara created. The fact that Business is Blooming  is still going strong affirms it was an excellent decision to take over the reins.

“Originally Business is Blooming was mainly focused on providing weekly floral subscriptions to local businesses, along with a card listing botanical elements and interesting flower facts and lore. I have continued this service, also offering it up to private clients at custom intervals. I have  increased our  unique floral gift offerings for all occasions, with many locally sourced flowers in season. Additionally, I have expanded my event planning, orchestrating more weddings and special events each year.”

Although Bleakley’s business, located at 1005 N. Cayuga St. in Ithaca, has grown, she and her environs remain calm and friendly. The lovely garden and down-to-earth work studio put clients at ease as she translates their wishes into glorious arrangements. And Bleakley’s quiet, warm style endures despite busy seasons with detailed scheduling.

Bleakley modestly notes that the business’ growth has required meticulous planning for events, special occasions, and holidays, with intricate timelines, so that the regular Business is Blooming business goes off on schedule, while big events come smoothly together. She notes that, “Even with all the best planning, I am still called upon to pull off 7 day work weeks once in a while, especially with extensive setups like large scale cascading floral installations on stairways; decorating an entire ceremony arbor; covering a whole stage in flowers; utilizing unique scaffolding for hanging floral arrangements; and multi-event projects (for example, a rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, and next day brunch). Installing 12 foot moving floral pillars was a particularly time consuming and challenging project.”
 

Bleakley describes all these projects with enthusiasm.

“Ithaca is an especially beautiful place with its natural areas to wander within throughout the year. I embrace the seasonality in my floral designs, sculpting with plants, with note of the textures— smooth, spiky, or fuzzy, incorporating the style, colors and details the client favors.”

The life of the natural world has its own ebb and flow and so it has been with Bleakley’s business development as it has grown each year. “Creating flower arrangements for others keeps me rooted in nature on a daily basis, in tune with the seasons and the earth’s offerings,” she said. “I select natural beauty to create ephemeral works for precious moments of joy or sorrow. And when the plants and flowers have been savored, they leave no clutter.”

“In my business,” she added, “I embrace ecological practices, purchasing locally sourced flowers and plants, supporting other small business, and buying local products and supplies, so we can together support a healthy local economy.”      

For more information contact Eva Bleakley at Business is Blooming by calling (607) 227-1522 or visit bizbloom.biz.